Long Island Board of REALTORS® Draws Over 800 to 37th Annual Education Conference and Trade Show

Long Island Board of REALTORS® (LIBOR), a leading trade association serving real estate professionals across Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties, proudly hosted its 37th Annual Education Conference and Trade Show on June 11, 2025, at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, NY. The premier industry event welcomed over 800 real estate professionals for a dynamic day of learning, networking, and innovation.

As one of the largest real estate education events on Long Island, this year’s conference brought the theme “Learn, Lead, Succeed” to life with a robust lineup of programming. The event featured more than 10 educational sessions approved for New York State continuing education credits, offering attendees the opportunity to deepen their industry knowledge, sharpen their business strategies, and stay current on regulatory and market changes.

“The success of our 37th Annual Education Conference and Trade Show reflects LIBOR’s ongoing dedication to empowering our members with the tools, knowledge, and connections they need to thrive,” said Mark Donnelly, LIBOR President. “From impactful education to timely industry insights and meaningful networking, this event brings together everything real estate professionals need to stay ahead in today’s evolving market.”

The conference featured a powerful keynote presentation from James Dwiggins, co-founder and CEO of NextHome Inc., titled “The New Normal – Best Practices in a Post-Settlement World and the Future Ahead.” In his session, Dwiggins addressed the changes that have taken place over the past year following the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) settlement and outlined actionable strategies for REALTORS® to protect their businesses and remain competitive.

Throughout the day, real estate professionals took part in a variety of breakout sessions featuring national speakers. Jeff Lobb, founder and CEO of SparkTank Media and Coach52, offered insights on strategic growth and client engagement. Matthew Rathbun, a seasoned broker and national speaker, delivered expert guidance on operational best practices. Joseph James, founder and CEO of ROI-Muse Solutions, shared commercial real estate expertise to help professionals identify and evaluate investment opportunities for their clients.

One of the day’s highlights was The Rookie’s Playbook – A Guide to Becoming a Rising Star, a panel hosted by LIBOR’s Young Professionals Network (YPN) and moderated by national trainer Natalie Davis. The session featured five standout YPN members who turned their rookie years into success stories. Davis returned to the stage later in the day to deliver an energizing closing session on the power of a growth mindset and how agents can thrive in a shifting market.

Platinum sponsor OneKey® MLS presented its signature Info Track program, beginning with a legal session from real estate attorney Mitch Skinner that covered key legal considerations for REALTORS®. A snapshot of the market was provided by real estate analyst Jonathan Miller, President and CEO of Miller Samuel Inc. That was followed by a high-level panel discussion on current market conditions and pressing industry challenges, featuring Dwiggins, Skinner, OneKey® MLS CEO Richard Haggerty, and moderated by OneKey® MLS COO Melissa King. The program closed with a practical training session led by Valerie Stephan, Vice President of Customer Engagement at OneKey® MLS, who demonstrated how to unlock the full potential of Matrix MLS for business success.

In addition to the educational sessions, attendees explored an expansive exhibit hall featuring nearly 50 exhibitors offering products and services ranging from mortgage lending and home inspections to moving services and cutting-edge marketing technologies. Guests enjoyed sweet treats while making meaningful connections with vendors and fellow real estate professionals. Full sponsor and exhibitor list available at liboredconference.com/sponsors.

The day concluded with a lighthearted yet impactful new tradition, of LIBOR Presidents stepping up to support REALTOR® political advocacy in a fun and memorable way. For a donation to the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC), members had the chance to take their best shot—literally—at LIBOR President Mark Donnelly, who graciously took whipped cream pies to the face in the name of advocacy. The spirited fundraiser generated over $4,600 in contributions to support RPAC’s vital work.

Following the festivities, attendees gathered for a wine and cheese reception hosted by LIBOR’s Global, Commercial, YPN, and Appraisal & Valuation committees. The relaxed atmosphere provided the perfect setting for members to unwind and reflect on the wealth of information and inspiration gained throughout the event.

LIBOR extends its gratitude to the generous sponsors who helped make the event a success, including Platinum Sponsor OneKey® MLS, Gold Sponsor Cotality, Silver Sponsors RGM Insurance Agency, Inc. and Real Grader, Sapphire Sponsors Men on the Move, Ruby Sponsor Cliffco Mortgage – The Zambelli Team, and Emerald Sponsors Ridgewood Savings Bank and Residential Real Estate Council.

For more information about LIBOR and upcoming events, visit LIRealtor.com/events.